Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) continuously advancing a web of bag making material at a first rate; (b) continuously joining portions of a downstream portion of a fastener tape to respective portions of the continuously advancing web of bag making material; (c) intermittently advancing an upstream portion of the fastener tape while the downstream portion is advancing continuously, the halt at the end of each intermittent advance being the start of the next work cycle, the upstream portion of the fastener tape being stationary during a respective dwell time of each work cycle and advancing during the remainder of each work cycle at a second rate faster than the first rate; (d) accumulating a portion of the fastener tape disposed between the upstream and downstream portions to compensate for the difference in the first and second rates during the aforementioned remainder of each work cycle; and (e) inserting a respective slider onto the upstream portion of the fastener tape during e

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising the steps of extruding a zipper part comprising a plastic closure member that has an interlockable profile and that has a side opposite to the profile; and joining a piece of plastic material to the side of the closure member. The piece is disposed entirely within an elevational range bounded by top and bottom edges of the closure member and is designed to function as a slider end stop. The end stop piece can be joined to the side of the plastic closure member by any one of the following techniques; heating the plastic to a softening temperature and pressing the piece against the softened portion; gluing the piece to the side of the closure member; fastening the piece to the closure member; or injection molding the piece onto the side of the closure member.

Abstract: The closure device (121) includes interlocking fastening strips (130, 131) and a slider (132) slidably disposed on the fastening strips for facilitating the occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips (130, 131) when moved towards first and second ends thereof. A slider (132) is provided for facilitating the attachment of the slider (132) onto the fastening strips (130, 131) in the horizontal X axis (102). The slider (132) provides resistance against the removal of the slider (132) from the fastening strips (130, 131) in the horizontal X axis (102) and the vertical Z axis (106).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the tension of one continuous material (e.g., plastic zipper) with attachments or formed features (e.g., sliders or formed slider end stops) as it is fed to a sealing station, where it is joined to and later pulled by another continuous material (e.g., packaging film). The tension control scheme can be applied in cases wherein the packaging film advances a single package length per advancement as well as cases wherein the packaging film advances a distance equal to multiple package lengths per advancement. A tension control zone is created between a pair of nip rollers disposed in zipper processing equipment and a zipper sealing station inside a thermoforming packaging machine by applying a predetermined torque to one of the nip rollers using a torque control device. The zipper processing equipment may comprise a zipper shaping station and a slider insertion station.

Abstract: A method for dual manufacture of reclosable packages on a horizontal-form, vertical fill machine. The method comprising the following steps: extending a web of bag making film under tension in a machine direction; joining one zipper tape to the web along a first zone of joinder generally aligned with the machine direction; joining another zipper tape to the web along a second zone of joinder generally parallel to the first zone of joinder and spaced apart therefrom; and folding the web in first, second and third mutually parallel zones extending in the machine direction. The first zone of folding is disposed between a first edge of the web and the one zipper tape, the second zone of folding is disposed between the two zipper tapes, and the third zone of folding is disposed between the other zipper tape and a second edge of the web. The resulting folded web with attached zippers has a generally W-shaped profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.

Abstract: Reclosable bags having a slider-actuated string zipper and a tamper-evident feature. In one aspect, the reclosable bag comprises: a receptacle having a mouth and an interior volume; a string zipper installed in the mouth; a slider mounted to the string zipper; and a tamper-evident feature that blocks access to all or a portion of the interior volume. The tamper-evident feature may take the form of an internal membrane that partitions the interior volume or an external header that covers the string zipper. In some embodiments with a partitioned interior volume, the tamper-evident feature comprises a peel seal.

Abstract: A method of forming, filling and sealing a reclosable package with a slider activated zipper wherein a base film moves longitudinally to a filling station and, in a moving direction, away from said filling station. At the filling station a product is fed onto the base film. As the base film carrying product is moved from the filling station, a zipper with a slider attached is fed onto the moving film in the moving direction of the base film. The zipper has a first profile and a second profile, each of which has an attached web extending away from the slider. A top film is applied over the base film and the first profile web is sealed to the base film and the second profile web is sealed to the top film. The package is completed by transversely cross-sealing the base film and the top film together on opposite sides of the product. The base and top films may be formed from the same sheet folded over or may be formed from separate sheets.

Abstract: A zippered bag comprises a main bag body having first and second opposing face members, a top, a bottom, and first and second opposing sides; and a zipper disposed on the main bag body. The zipper extends from the top to one of the first and second opposing sides so as to be oblique relative to the top. The zipper may comprise a male track and a female track engageable therewith. The male track and the female track may be formed by an injection molding. Each of the male track and the female track may comprise a main portion and end portions provided on opposite ends of the main portion, each of the end portions having a smaller height than that of the main portion.

Abstract: A method for making a reclosable bag (56) with gussets (36, 38) in which a zipper profile (16) is attached to bag-making film (10), while leaving side margins (20, 22) of the film. The film (10) is folded as a tube (26). Gusset-forming wheels (34, 35) indent the tube (26) to form the side gussets (36, 38). The side gussets (36, 38) are sealed to the tube (26) and/or the zipper profile (18) with the profile sealed to the tube. The tube (26) is sealed and cross-cut to form the bag (56). In an alternative method, lengths of tubular gusset material (112) are positioned on a lower web (110) of film (101) transverse to a bag-forming direction. A zipper (124) is sealed in the bag-forming direction to the webs (108, 110), and the gusset material (112). The webs (108, 110) and the material (112) are sealed to each other to form an end seal (140) as well as cross-cut and sealed to form the gussets (144, 148) of a reclosable bag (147).

Abstract: A slider (10), a slider insertion apparatus (50) and a method for inserting the slider (10) on an interlocked fastener or zipper (25) of a reclosable bag (44). A loading rack (58, 72) feeds individual sliders (10) to the slider insertion apparatus (50) wherein the slider (10) is inserted on the interlocked profiles (24, 28) being held by a zipper guide (56). After insertion, a keeper (15) and retaining shoulders (19, 20) of the slider (10) secure an interlocking member (22) of the profile (24) from unintentional engagement with an interlocking member (26) of the opposing profile (28). A positioner (200) is used to move the inserted slider (10) and/or to move the attached reclosable bag (44) in conjunction with driving rollers (217) of a vertical form-fill-and-seal machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making reclosable packages having slider-actuated string zippers. More specifically, the apparatus is a form-fill-seal machine having means for placing product on a web of packaging film; means for forming a receptacle having an interior volume and a mouth, with the product in the interior volume and a string zipper installed in the mouth, the web of packaging film forming at least one wall of the receptacle; a slider insertion device for inserting sliders on the string zipper; and means for sealing the receptacle so that ambient air cannot enter the interior volume. The form-fill-seal machine may further include either means for aligning an edge of the web with a flangeless zipper strip of the zipper strip before the web is joined to the flangeless zipper strip or means for trimming an edge of the web after a portion of the web proximal to the edge has been joined to a flangeless zipper strip of the string zipper.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for engaging both profiles (18, 20) of an interlocked zipper (12) as the zipper or fastener strip is guided onto a supply of thermoplastic film (16) used to make a reclosable bag. A first interlocked profile (18) of the zipper is engaged by at least one roller (24, 26, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) of the roller-type applicator (10). A disc (28) mechanically attached to an end section of at least one of the rollers engages a web (22) of the second interlocked profile (20) that extends beyond the width of a web of the first profile (18). By their attachment, the disc (28) and the roller move the profiles (18, 20) at the same speed so that the profiles remain aligned as they are moved through the zipper guide (14). The zipper (12) is then attached to a surface of the thermoplastic film (16) used to make the reclosable bag.

Abstract: A method of automatically forming bags fitted with complementary closure strips secured to distinct support webs and associated with an actuating slide, in which method: at least one film suitable for forming the walls of the bags is supplied continuously; a closure assembly comprising complementary closure strips secured to distinct lateral support webs which extend beyond the closure strips is supplied continuously, the strips being associated with slides for actuating the closure strips, which slides are distributed along the length of the closure assembly as supplied; the closure assembly formed in this way is fixed via the external lateral support webs to the film forming the wall of the bags; the method being characterized in that: a loop is made in the continuously supplied film; and inside the concave portion of the loop the closure assembly is fixed to the surface of the film that corresponds to the outside surface of the bags.

Abstract: A re-sealable container closure label including a base label and a cover label, and a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tamper-evident tear strip is sandwiched therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the base label is adhered to the front wall of a container, preferably a bag, adjacent an opening in the bag. A flap of the bag is folded downwardly over the opening and adheres to the front wall, the cover label, the two-part hook-and-loop fastener system and the tear strip. In an alternative embodiment, container closure label includes a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tear strip secured only to a base label. This alternative embodiment label is adhered to the front wall of a bag as in the preferred embodiment, except that the flap is adhered directly over the fastener system and tear strip. To open a bag sealed with the re-sealable container closure label, a user pulls the tear strip, which permits the flap to open and form a pour opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.

Abstract: An automated reclosable packaging manufacturing equipment for applying zipper tape to bag making film, especially as part of a form-fill-seal process, and a method of joining a zipper flange of a zipper assembly to bag making film without “seal-through” of the zipper flanges. The method comprises the steps of: (a) pressing a web of bag making film and first and second zipper flanges of a zipper assembly together along the length of the latter, with the first zipper flange sandwiched between and in contact with the web of bag making film and the second zipper flange; and (b) during step (a), causing heat to be conducted through the web of bag making film into the first zipper flange. The amount of heat conducted through the web of bag making film must be sufficient to seal the web of bag making film to the first zipper flange without sealing the first zipper flange to the second zipper flange.

Abstract: A reclosable flexible package includes a reclosure having flanges joined at their upper ends to interlockable fastener tracks. The lower ends of the reclosure flanges are joined together with one of the reclosure flanges being joined to a side panel of the flexible package by a peel seal.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing a slider-operated zipper on a moving filled package, comprising means for performing the following steps: conveying a package forward in a straight line; guiding a slider on a zippered portion of the package through a channel as the package moves forward; blocking forward movement of the slider at a predetermined position inside the channel as the package continues to move forward; and releasing the slider when the force being exerted by the slider in the forward direction reaches a level substantially equal to a predetermined threshold. This apparatus can be employed in association with a continuous band sealing apparatus. The means for blocking forward movement of the slider at a predetermined position inside the channel are a pair of spring-loaded plungers, e.g., ball plungers. If the slider end stop is weak, the slider will be pulled off the advancing package and will fall onto an ejection ramp.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the tension of one continuous material (e.g., plastic zipper) with attachments or formed features (e.g., sliders or formed slider end stops) as it is fed to a sealing station, where it is joined to and later pulled by another continuous material (e.g., packaging film). The tension control scheme can be applied in cases wherein the packaging film advances a single package length per advancement as well as cases wherein the packaging film advances a distance equal to multiple package lengths per advancement. A tension control zone is created between a pair of nip rollers disposed in zipper processing equipment and a zipper sealing station inside a thermoforming packaging machine by applying a predetermined torque to one of the nip rollers using a torque control device. The zipper processing equipment may comprise a zipper shaping station and a slider insertion station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for engaging both profiles (18, 20) of an interlocked zipper (12) as the zipper or fastener strip is guided onto a supply of thermoplastic film (16) used to make a reclosable bag. A first interlocked profile (18) of the zipper is engaged by at least one roller (24, 26, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) of the roller-type applicator (10). A disc (28) mechanically attached to an end section of at least one of the rollers engages a web (22) of the second interlocked profile (20) that extends beyond the width of a web of the first profile (18). By their attachment, the disc (28) and the roller move the profiles (18, 20) at the same speed so that the profiles remain aligned as they are moved through the zipper guide (14). The zipper (12) is then attached to a surface of the thermoplastic film (16) used to make the reclosable bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a slider-equipped zipper on a pouch in a form/fill/seal operation. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a foldable slider is employed, and is shifted from an open configuration to a closed configuration for installation on zipper strips on the pouch. Stops are preferably provided at the ends of the zipper strips by application of heat and pressure to form a boss on one side and a corresponding recess on the other, without requiring additional material. A hermetic peelable seal preferably is provided beneath the zipper strips. The slider preferably is applied to the zipper strips immediately before or immediately after filling, or immediately after formation of the peelable seal. Means may be provided to shift the position of the slider to close the zipper.

Abstract: The profiles of a segment of profile zipper are separated and then the profiles at the central portion of the segment are rejoined while the profiles at the ends of the segment are maintained separated. The segment is transported to overlie a bag film web transverse to a moving direction of the web and attached to the web. The web is formed into a reclosable bag with side wall gusset portions of web tucked between the separated profiles.

Abstract: An automated reclosable packaging manufacturing equipment for applying zipper tape to bag making film, especially as part of a form-fill-seal process, and a method of joining a zipper flange of a zipper assembly to bag making film without “seal-through” of the zipper flanges. The method comprises the steps of: (a) pressing a web of bag making film and first and second zipper flanges of a zipper assembly together along the length of the latter, with the first zipper flange sandwiched between and in contact with the web of bag making film and the second zipper flange; and (b) during step (a), causing heat to be conducted through the web of bag making film into the first zipper flange. The amount of heat conducted through the web of bag making film must be sufficient to seal the web of bag making film to the first zipper flange without sealing the first zipper flange to the second zipper flange.

Abstract: A machine for installing a zipper slider to a plastic zipper bag comprises a vibrating device, a zipper slider feed, an aligning tower, an urging device, an injecting device and a pressing device. The machine automatically couples zipper sliders with zipper bags in large amounts while taking little time, thereby significantly enhancing production efficiency.

Abstract: A method for making a reclosable bag (56) with gussets (36, 38) in which a zipper profile (16) is attached to bag-making film (10), while leaving side margins (20, 22) of the film. The film (10) is folded as a tube (26). Gusset-forming wheels (34, 35) indent the tube (26) to form the side gussets (36, 38). The side gussets (36, 38) are sealed to the tube (26) and/or the zipper profile (18) with the profile sealed to the tube. The tube (26) is sealed and cross-cut to form the bag (56). In an alternative method, lengths of tubular gusset material (112) are positioned on a lower web (110) of film (101) transverse to a bag-forming direction. A zipper (124) is sealed in the bag-forming direction to the webs (108, 110), and the gusset material (112). The webs (108, 110) and the material (112) are sealed to each other to form an end seal (140) as well as cross-cut and sealed to form the gussets (144, 148) of a reclosable bag (147).

Abstract: A method of forming, filling and sealing a reclosable package with a slider activated zipper wherein a base film moves longitudinally to a filling station and, in a moving direction, away from the filling station. At the filling station a product is fed onto the base film. As the base film carrying product is moved from the filling station, a zipper with a slider attached is fed onto the moving film in the moving direction of the base film. The zipper has a first profile and a second profile, each of which has an attached web extending away from the slider. A top film is applied over the base film and the first profile web is sealed to the base film and the second profile web is sealed to the top film. The package is completed by transversely cross-sealing the base film and the top film together on opposite sides of the product. The base and top films may be formed from the same sheet folded over or may be formed from separate sheets.

Abstract: A set of at least three consecutive bags in a succession, each bag having two closure strips and a cursor situated at a respective distance from one end of the strips, the strips and the cursor being identical between the bags. Between the bags in each pair of adjacent bags, the distances are different.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a string of bags provided with transverse closure strips by sequentially placing closure system segments transversely on a film for forming the walls of the bag, with each segment having two complementary closure strips. The support webs are fixed respectively to the inside faces of the two walls of the bag while taking care to provide sequential transverse openings in the film so as to give access to between the two strips. A machine for implementing the method and strings of bags obtained thereby are also included.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making slider-operated fasteners for use in reclosable plastic bags using at least a double index and dual unit operations. The methods involve forming two preseals, forming two notches within the preseals, applying two sliders into the previously formed notches, and applying two end stops proximate the previously applied sliders by having the various stations perform their respective functions, either simultaneously or at generally the same time, on different parts of the fastener spaced approximately at a double index. Also provided are methods of producing finished bags by applying the slider-operated fastener to a flat web of plastic film and conveying the web to a vertical or a horizontal form-fill-seal machine.

Abstract: A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closeable by a slider device. In one embodiment, the method includes utilizing photo eyes to monitor the registration of the film web in respect to the slider device and the placement of side seams. In another embodiment, the method includes utilizing multiple sealing steps to provide seal regions and side seams.

Abstract: The invention is a process for manufacturing plastic zipper bags. In the process, zippers are disposed along both opposing edges of a pair of contiguous elongate plastic sheets. The elongate plastic sheets are then divided into individual bags by sealing the two plastic sheets to one another along spaced-apart transverse sealing lines. By these steps, the pair of elongate plastic sheets are transformed into a strip of plastic bags comprising a plurality of individual plastic bags attached to one another along abutting transverse sealing lines. Each plastic bag along the strip of plastic bags has a zippered upper edge and a zippered lower edge. Next, the upper edge of every other plastic bag along the plastic bag strip is sealed with a sealing edge disposed parallel to and proximate to the zipper along the upper edge. On each of the other bags along the plastic bag strip, the lower edge is sealed with a sealing line disposed parallel to and proximate to the zipper along the lower edge.

Abstract: A packaging foil is continuously withdrawn from a supply. The foil is folded around the products to be packaged. Cut-off lengths of closing profile sections are inserted with a feed unit between the two longitudinal edges of the foil. In a sealing station, the two longitudinal edges of the foil are sealed together and the foil is then sealed onto the closing profile sections. In another sealing station, transverse sealing seams are formed between the free ends of successive closing profile sections and the tube is cut approximately in the center of the transverse seams. A high packaging output is achieved as a result of the continuous withdrawal of the foil.

Abstract: The apparatus and method uses grooved rollers and a grooved guide plate to position zipper segments on a web. The web is subsequently formed into a cylinder in a form fill and seal apparatus and seal bar assemblies form the bottom transverse seal, the web is indexed and the cylinder is filled, and the seal bar assemblies form the top transverse seal simultaneously with the bottom transverse seal of a subsequent bag. A zipper seal bar completes the sealing of the zipper segment to a second side of the web and a knife extends from a slot in a seal bar assembly to separate the completed bag from the web. This apparatus and method is particularly adapted to narrow zipper segments.

Abstract: A method of making a recloseable package having a slider zipper assembly includes advancing a web of a plastic film material in a direction along a longitudinal axis thereof, and applying a plurality of profile strip fastener assemblies to the plastic film material transversely of the longitudinal axis. A slider is applied to each of the fastener assemblies so that movement of each slider along the length of the respective one of the fastener assemblies moves the pair of profile strips thereof into and out of interlocking engagement. Opposite side edges of the plastic film material are joined to form a tube, with seals formed transversely of the tube to form a top seal and a bottom seal for each of the packages. The package is configured such that the slider projects generally through the front wall of the package, with the front wall optionally being provided with a frangible region in the form of a line of weakness aligned with the fastener assembly.

Abstract: A zipper segment for transverse direction application to a bag film web in which the profiles are of unequal lengths and joined together at their ends. As a result, the shorter profile is placed in tension. During bag formation the longer profile is initially attached to the bag film web and the shorter side is attached only by the engagement of the profile interlocking members and end seals. The shorter side, which is not directly attached to the web, nonetheless remains close to the web as a result of the tension imparted on the short side by the longer side.

Abstract: A reclosable zipper including a first closure profile, a second closure profile constructed and arranged to selectively mate with the first closure profile, and a web arrangement joining the first closure profile and the second closure profile. The web arrangement includes a plurality of tear regions radially spaced across the web arrangement. Each of the tear regions has a lower shear strength than the remaining portions of the web arrangement. The tear regions may include multiple layers and have geometric shapes, such as a T, a trapezoid, a triangle, a round, and a rectangle. In some embodiments, there is a second web arrangement joining the first and second closure profiles. This reclosable zipper can be used on a flexible package to create a tamper-evident flexible package. Methods of operation are described.

Abstract: Methods for positioning a mounted slider device on a recloseable package include inoperably mounting the slider device onto the closure arrangement and contacting the inoperably mounted slider device with a surface to operably position the slider device on the reclosable closure mechanism. Methods of manufacturing recloseable packages include providing a package, a recloseable closure mechanism, and a slider device. Attaching the recloseable closure mechanism to the package. Mounting the slider device on the recloseable closure mechanism and contacting inoperably mounted slider devices with a surface to operably position the slider device on the recloseable closure mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for making packages having interlocking closures from a web of film, the closure having male and female portions and being formed in line with or transversely to the direction of film flow. A converter fanfolds the film into spaced apart stacks of heat sealed together layers. Abrading means abrade one surface of each strip to remove the thermoplastic coating. A package former forms packages having longitudinal seals, and places strip portions in apposed position. The package ends are sealed and the locking closure is formed in the strip. The locking closure female portion is formed in the face including the longitudinal seal. In another embodiment the strip inner and outer parts of the resealable closure are separately formed before package formation. Alternatively, layering is done by heat sealing a strip of heat sealable material to the packaging film. Optionally formed in the resealable closure are hinges and reinforcing V-notches.

Abstract: A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper closure by a vertical form, fill and seal process. The method includes providing a pocket in a film web into which a zipper closure is positioned and attached. The film web is folded and sealed to form side panels and seams, which result in a package. The pocket provides an internal tamper evident-structure for the package. An external tamper evident-structure can be provided between the distal ends of the mating profiles of the zipper closure.

Abstract: A method of applying a slider to a fastener-carrying web of plastic film. The fastener includes interlockable profiles and fins depending from the respective profiles. One of the fins is attached to the web of plastic film such that the profiles are immediately adjacent to the web. The fastener is folded away from the web about the attached fin such that the profiles and proximate portions of the fins are oriented at an angle, preferably about 90 degrees, relative the web. Because the profiles and proximate fin portions are oriented at an angle relative to the web, they can be easily accessed and controlled for applying the slider to the profiles and performing other fastener-related operations.

Abstract: Apparatus for making packages having improved openable and reclosable interlocking seals from a continuous web of composite packaging film, the seal having male and female portions of arrowhead shape in cross section, snap detents, and being formed transversely to the direction of film flow during package formation at line speed. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strip inside in ends abutting folded facing relationship at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed.

Abstract: Methods for making packages having improved openable and reclosable interlocking seals from a continuous web of composite packaging film, the seal having male and female portions of arrowhead shape in cross section, snap detents, and being formed transversely to the direction of film flow during package formation at line speed. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strip inside in ends abutting folded facing relationship at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying strip fastener elements or zippers to web material includes an unwind stand holding a roll of film material, an infeed dancer arrangement of rollers, a zipper apparatus which conditions zipper material, cuts zippers and delivers zippers to a zipper feed apparatus. The zipper feed apparatus loads zippers into a sealing platen of a rotating turret. The rotating turret carries the zippers successively to a position adjacent a surface of the film and a seal bar presses the film to successive zippers to seal the zippers thereto while a new zipper is being received in a sealing platen of the turret at a loading station at a rotational position at a distance from the sealing station. The film with zippers attached is drawn downstream of the turret to a rewind dancer roll assembly and thereafter to a rewind stand for winding into a roll of zippered film.

Abstract: A vertical form fill seal, stand-up, bag and a method of making the same is disclosed. The bag made of a flexible and resilient material such as plastic, has hollow interior, a horizontal bottom seal located below the hollow interior and a top horizontal seal located above the hollow interior. The bag can stand, preferably on or near the bottom seal, when filled with contents. A recloseable seal, such as a finger closure zipper or a slide zipper in other embodiments, is on a perimeter of the hollow interior, and between the top and bottom seals. The recloseable seal extends in a direction other than horizontal, and may extends the entire distance, or only a part of the distance, between the top horizontal seal and the bottom horizontal seal. The recloseable seal is fixed to sealed horizontal sides, or other than the sealed horizontal sides, and may be flush with the bag or extending beyond the edges of the bag. The bag has a handle above the top horizontal seal.

Abstract: A method for automatically making bags equipped with matching closure profiles comprising the steps of: unwinding a supply of at least a film for forming the bag walls; unwinding a supply of closure assembly comprising a W-shaped support sheet, constituting an inner U-shaped tear band provided on its inner surface opposite respectively the matching closure profiles, and the external lateral webs extending beyond the closure profiles and the U-shaped inner band, the closure assembly being further pre-equipped with a series of sliders actuating the closure profiles distributed over the length of the unwinding closure assembly; and fixing the resulting closure assembly via the external lateral webs on the film forming the bag walls.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for reclosing a package. A package reclosure is provided with a top layer having a perforation and a carrier substrate. A folded substrate or folded member is provided between the carrier substrate and top layer. The folded member is only secured to the top layer such that, when the perforation is torn, a portion of the folded member may be unfolded to reveal a repositionable adhesive which is used to retain an end of the package in a closed position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing includes feeding a continuous web of flexible panel material into a package forming operation. The continuous web is configured to define first and second juxtaposed panel sections; positioning a continuous strip of resealable closure mechanism having a series of spaced slider devices thereon between the first and second panel sections of the continuous web to form a continuous combination having the first and second panel sections and the resealable closure mechanism; and forming a plurality of flexible packages from the continuous combination. Each flexible package includes only one slider device thereon and a seal between the first and second panel sections oriented to enclose the one slider device between the first and second panel sections and the seal. A system for manufacturing a flexible package is disclosed. In addition, a flexible package is disclosed.

Abstract: In a form fill and seal apparatus, a film is provided with a zipper oriented transverse to the direction of travel of the film. The zipper includes a central area which is secured to the film. However, the zipper further includes outer areas which are free of attachment to the film prior to the film being turned down by the forming collar of the filling tube.